2008 USPS Christmas Stamp - "Virgin and Child With the Young John the Baptist"

Working from a detail of a painting titled “Virgin and Child With the Young John the Baptist” by the Italian master Sandro Botticelli, designer Richard Sheaff of Scottsdale, Arizona, created the Postal Service’s 2008 Christmas stamp. The painting, tempera and oil on wood, dates to around 1490 and is now in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. It presents one of the most common figural groups in religious art. Botticelli’s beautifully rendered figures capture the tender relationship between mother and child and at the same time suggest Mary’s foreknowledge of Christ’s fate. The facial expression of John the Baptist, seen standing to the side in a prayerful gesture, also suggests a heightened awareness.

Minnesota

The U.S. Postal Service celebrated the 150th birthday of Minnesota’s statehood May 17 with the issuance of the 42 cent Minnesota Statehood Stamp. The ceremony was held in St. Paul on the grounds of the State Capitol.

T.J. Duckett - RB - Seattle Seahawks

After years of trying out lesser numbers, T.J. Duckett finally saw the light in 2008 and began to sport The Number. Here he is indicating a first down in Week 3 of the 2008 season against the Saint Louis Rams. It is unclear if he had ever experienced a first down prior to his number change.

Brooks Reed - DE - Arizona Wildcats

Brooks Reed of the Arizona Wildcats closes in on Stanford QB Tavita Pritchard during the Wildcats October 11, 2008 23-24 loss to the Cardinal at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, California.

Reed is out of Sabino High School in Tucson, Arizona. He was born February 28, 1987.